Bukayo Saka took another step towards cementing his place as an Arsenal legend when he led out his team as captain for the first time shortly after his 22nd birthday.
The Londoner has been voted England’s player of the year for the past two seasons. Being made Arsenal’s youngest captain of the Premier League era is a further sign of the maturity and leadership skills of the young winger.
Saka briefly wore the armband during Arsenal’s recent draw at Chelsea, following an injury to regular skipper Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian’s continued absence resulted in Arteta needing a new leader – and he went for his inspirational homegrown talent.
“It was a really special moment for me,” an emotional Saka said afterwards. “I can’t really describe how I was feeling when I was walking out. I just tried to take in the atmosphere and just realise where I am and where I’ve come from.”
Saka’s captaincy debut was marked with a 5-0 win over Sheffield United and featured a hat-trick for fellow Hale End youth academy graduate Eddie Nketiah. Another ex-team-mate from the youth ranks, Emile Smith Rowe, also started the Premier League match. A fourth Hale Ender, Reiss Nelson, came on for Saka in the closing stages.
“I was really proud, it’s a big honour. I just tried to remember where I came from and where I am now, and how proud I can be of myself. Then obviously, I switched the focus to the game.”
Now some Arsenal supporters will be hoping Saka’s rise through the ranks does not make him become a victim of the curse of the captain’s armband in recent seasons.
Granit Xhaka was booed off by his own fans as he took off his shirt and the armband as he was subbed against Crystal Palace in 2019.
His successor Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was also stripped of the armband for disciplinary issues by Arteta.
Throughout the Premier League era, Arsenal have accumulated fourteen permanent captains. Eleven of them have left the club soon after being appointed. They include players such as Robin Van Persie, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry.
Only three ended their career at the club, one of which being Saka’s current manager and figurehead, Arteta.
Saka recently completed a club record 87 consecutive first team appearances before a brief injury absence.
When asked about being able to play 60, 70 games a season, he responded: “I think it’s possible. When you look at the top players they are there every three days and winning games cor their team. So, I am trying to be at that level.”
